Enter and view: Ward 3A, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
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Healthwatch Gloucestershire undertook an enter and view visit to Ward 3A at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on 5 February 2026. They spoke to 21 people.
Overall, the patients gave positive feedback about staff on the ward regarding communication and encouraging them to do as much as they could for themselves.
Healthwatch heard mixed feedback about food quality but generally people felt they had choice.
The relatives Healthwatch spoke to gave mixed reviews about the care being provided to their loved ones. Negative feedback was based around some staff not being understanding about the needs of a patient with a hearing impairment, and being unsure about the discharge process and how they should expect to be involved.
Therapy boards were often not completed which would have been beneficial for people with communication needs.
Healthwatch found low awareness of Martha's Rule/Call for Concern amongst patients.
Staff reported feeling supported and enjoying their jobs, however did not always feel they were able to provide as much time as they would like to patients.
Use of the Clinical Governance Board was very positive, demonstrating a continuous learning and improvement culture.
Healthwatch heard that the ward would benefit from access to a Clinical Nurse Educator (the type employed on other medical wards) giving access to specialists. For example, diabetes.
There is a lack of clarity regarding the information placed on walls - what is the purpose and who is it intended for. Although we heard that the information provided is in part determined by the ward itself, we also heard that patients move between wards so they may benefit from some consistency in places e.g. staff photos.
Healthwatch noticed clocks on the wards, some of which detailed the day and date.
Some areas of the ward appeared quite dark and ‘stuffy’.
A key issue arising from staff and patients was discharge - issues with bed space in community hospitals, care homes and home care packages. Decisions about discharge are made outside of the ward but it is the responsibility of the ward to manage patients’ and relatives' expectations.